The Starkville, Miss., standout will be enrolling at Mississippi State in June to get a head start on things in the classroom as well as on the football field.

"My brain could probably use a little more rest but I wanted to be able to work out with the team," McKenzie said.

McKenzie recently graduated from Starkville Academy with a perfect 4.0 grade point average and is considering majoring in engineering at MSU.

"I'm not completely sure on that but I think I can take an introductory course that tells you what engineering is about in general," McKenzie said.

The 6-foot-4 tight end/ defensive end has been working since the conclusion of basketball season in the weight room to prepare himself for life in the Southeastern Conference. He has added an additional six pounds to his frame currently weighing in at 241-pounds.